Help Mel Get to the Olympics!

I am so excited to be an accredited photographer for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing! I have been obsessed with the Olympics since I was seven years old, and long before I came to terms with my lack of athletic talent, I dreamed that I would win the floor exercise title at the 2000 Olympic Summer Games. (Spoiler alert: I did not.)

But in 2007, I discovered that I had a knack and a passion for photographing figure skating. A Winter Olympics in on my home continent and the generosity of a few amazing people meant that I was able to attend a few events at the 2010 Games in Vancouver as a spectator. But ever since then, I've dreamed of being able to go back and photograph everything! I am finally getting my chance, as the website that I help out with on a regular basis (Ice-Dance.com) was accredited for Beijing.

I volunteer for Ice-Dance.com and for a few other figure skating websites that do great work, as needed. I'm passionate about providing balanced coverage and recognizing every athlete that makes it to the events that we cover. At large national and international events, I usually cover my own costs, and while I generally pick up a few extra assignments that help to offset the expenses, I rarely cover my expenses at these kind of events.

I had a master plan four years ago, but things were different four years ago, to say the least. Unfortunately, many of the plans that I made in the Before Times aren't actually feasible, and costs have escalated exponentially. Between being unable to use points for flights and being limited to food options within the bubble that may or may not be overpriced, I've blown past my original budget. I'm hoping to crowdfund a bit to help offset the costs so I can take a bit of the burden off of my family.

I am grateful for small amounts of support and am hopeful that I will be able to stay safe and healthy and do great work in Beijing!